Piston for deep-well pumps



G. A. HUMASON, S. F. BASHARA AND P. J. BARRA CO.

PISTON FOR DEEP WELL PUMPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. mm.

N g E SAM F. BASHARA, 3 mm ii 56 PAUL. I BARF/ACO,

' Patented Feb. 22," 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

G A. HUMASON, S. F. BASHARA AND P. J. BARRACO.

' PISTON FOR DEEP WELL PUMPS APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1919- 1,369,339. Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

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GRANVILLE. A. HUMASON, ammms 5AM E ISASHARA,

' PAUL. I BAFRACO,

F 5 v Z Z Z 5 @fl mm H Q6 W 6 I i a I I I 6 G. A. HUMASON; S. F. BASHARA AND-P. J. BARRACO.

PISTON FOR DEEP WELL PUMPS.

- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, [919.

1,369,339. Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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5AM F. BAsHARA, v gmwmw PAUL. T. BAPQ L I I MM/"m GRANVILLE A. HUMASON, SAM F. BASHARA TEXAS, ASSIGNORS T0 TEXAS RECLAIM OIL ASSOCIATION,

AN ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS AND RAUL J". BARRACQ, OE HOUSTON, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS,

ZEIS'IPQII FOR DEEP-WELL PUMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 24, 1919. Serial No. 284,694.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, GRANVILLE A. HUMA- SON, SAM F. BASHARA, and PAUL J. BARRACO, all citizens of the United States, residing at Houston, Harris county, Texas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pistons for Deepell Pumps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to an improvement in pumps for use in deep well pumpingand is especially adapted for usein pumping oil or water which has therein a quantity of sand or earth and particles of grit which act to cause excessive wear in the operating parts of the structure.

In deep well pumping, and especially in the pumping of oil, quantities of'sand are usually mixed with the liquid, and in the operating of trance around the piston and between the same and the inner surface of the working barrel thus causing excessive wear, both in the plunger and in the working barrel, so that a tight fit, which is necessary for the op eration of the pump, cannot belong mama tained.

One object of our invention is to provide a novel construction of piston or plunger for use in deep w. ll reciprocating pumps wherein the said lunger automatically adjusts itself for wear so as to maintain a tight fit between the same and the working'bar rel for a long period of time.

Another object is to construct a piston on the outer surface'of which is an expanded collar adapted to maintain itself constantly in close contact with the inner surface of the working barrel of the pump.

Another object is to provide means for expanding the collar positively when de sired, so that when the collar becomes worn,

it may be so adjusted as to still maintain a tight closure between the piston and working barrel.

Other objects in strength and durability will more clearly appear in the specification which follows and will be pointed out with more particularity in the claims hereto ap ended.

n the specification, and in which. like, parts are the pump this sand finds endrawings forming a part of this designated by like numerals throughout the several views, Figure 1. is a longitudinal section illustrating'our invention fitted within the working barrel of a pump, the collars being shown on aplane similar to 6-6 in Fig. 7. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof taken on the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a 'view partly in central longitudinal section Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

illustrating the lower end of the plunger with the valve and expanding collar indifferent positions. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of our plunger fitted within the working barrel 0 the pump, the working barrel being shown in section. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of our improved pump plunger fitted within the working barrel of a pump, the working barrel being shown in central longitudinal section. Fig. 6 is a-central longitudinal section of a second embodiment of our inven'tiontaken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 Fig. 7 is a transverse section thereof on a. line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal section of' another embodiment of our invention, the central shaft of the plunger being shown in elevation for greater clearness and the collars cut on a. plane similar to 6-6 of Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 10 are pro:

'file views showing the central faces of two different sections of my-expandi'ng collar.

With special reference to Figs. 1, 3, and

5, I have shown my improved ump plunupper section thereof. The plunger por-- tion of the rod is cylindrical in shape and is fitted with one or more expanding'colla-rs 14, 14' for the purpose of maintaining a tight contact between the said plunger and the outer working barrel 15 of the pump. These collars, of which I have shown two in Figs. 1 and 5, are so arraned as to be pressed automatically outwar into contact with the working barrel. Each collar is split longitudinally into. four sections. The adjacent sections are of unequal formation, one of them being wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, while the adjacent one is wider at the top end and narrower at the bottom. A line of division 16 between the sections is therefore slightly inclined as shown in Figs. 5, 9, and 10. I

The inner body 17 of the plunger is ro-- vided with a beveled recess in which the our sections of the collar are adapted to fit. With special reference to Fig. 1, the upper collar is fitted within a recess tapered inwardly at the upper end as shown at 18, and having a central cylindrical portion 19 and a second outwardly flaring surface 20 somewhat shorter in length than the surface 18 and second cylindrical surface 21, this surface terminating at its lower end in an abrupt shoulder 22 separating the cylindrical surface 21 from a second surface 23 reduced in diameter to correspond with that of the surface 19. Between the cylindrical surface 23 and a second lower cylindrical recess is a larger cylindrical member 24 of such. diameter as to fit closel within the working barrel of the pump. he lower col lar 14/- is of the sameiformation as the upper collar, being shown reversed, however, in direction, the part corresponding to the lower end in theupper collar being placed atthe upper end on. the lower collar. Both collars, however, may be turned in the same direction as will be obvious. 1

The four separate sections of the collar are maintained in position upon the ta pered surfaces just described by means of a resilient ring or spring 25 fitted within a groove 26 in the outer periphery of the said sections. This groove is wider than the ring whichfits therein so as to allow a longitudinal movement of the sections relative to the resilient retaining ring or spring 25. This ring is similar information to an ordinary piston ring and is split in one place, as shown at 26 in Fig. 5, to allow a limited expansion and contraction thereof. Said ring may be replaced by a spiral sprin 27 fitted within the slot 26, such a spira 40' spring being shown on the lower collar 14. As previously stated, one of the sections is somewhat wedge-shaped with the wider end up and the adjacent one is likewise wed e shaped with the wider end downward. The sections having the wider end downward are adapted to be forced upwardly on the plunger while the ad'acent one is adapted to be forced downwar l on the tapered surface of the plunger. ith reference to the upper collar 14 of Fig. 1 the section at the left of the said collar is adapted to be forced downwardly and a' obtain this result a small hole is bored upwardly in the tapered portion 18 of the plunger to form a seat or a small, helical spring 29. The lower end of this spring is adapted to seat within a similar hole or recess in the coiiperating tapered surface of section 28. The ad'acent section 30, shown at the right hand side of Fig. 1, is adapted to be forced upwardly, this being accomplished by a small leaf spring 31 attached to the lower end of the section 30 and bean ing between the same and the adjacent shoulder formed by the member 24. The

. ticular lower end of section 30 is cut-away on its inner surface to provide a recess 32 sufficient to allow theupward movement of this section relative to the shoulder 22 on the plunger.

It will be noted that the movement vertically of .any of the sections of the collar will cause the same to be forced outwardly, due to the fact that the sections are adapted to slide upon the outwardly tapered surfaces 18 or 20 of the plunger. When the section 28 is forced downwardly by the spring 29 it will be forced outwardly by the tapering surface 20. on which it is adapted to slide. When the adjacent section 30 is forced upwardly by the spring 31 it will be projected -outwardly by 'the sliding of the collar upon the surface 18. By thls means any wear upon the surface of the collar will be automatically taken up by the expanding of the collar caused by the springs 29 and 31. Due to the fact that these sections are wedge shaped, the movement of the adjacent sections in opposite directions will maintain the adjacent edges of the sections constantly in close contact with each other, thereby preventing the formation of longi-' tudinal slots or spaces through which water or air mi ht escape. This sort of collar will, there ore, automatically maintain itself expanded into contact with the working barrel of the plunger and will also automaticallymaintain a tight contact between the adjacent ed es of the collar either when contracted, as s own in Fig. 1, or when expanded, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower collar 14' is adapted to function in exactly the same wa as the upper-collar 14 and no parescription thereof will be necessary; and while two expanding collars are shown on the plunger disclosed in this drawing, it is obvious that one collar may be used alone or that several collars may be used as found most convenient and efficient for the work at hand.

The lower end' of our plunger, below the expandin collars, is of the full outside di-- ameter o the plunger, as shown at 33, and is recessed interiorallyto provide a valve chamber 34. The lower end of this chamber is threaded at 35 to receive a plug 36 closing the lower en of said chamber. This plug-is bored longitudinally to provide a central opening in which avalve stem 37 is adapted to reciprocate. The lower end of the opening, through which the valve stemv passes, is enlarged in diameter at 38 to accommodate a cylindrical nut 39 on the lower end of the stem,'said nut being adapted to contact with the upper shoulder of said r'ecess 38. to limit the upward movement of valve stem. At the upper end'of this stem is a head flared outwardly therefrom to form a frusto-conical valve member 40 fitting within a conical scatf tl in the upper end of the plug 36. Below the seat 41 the plug is recessed cylindrically to form a shallow chamber 42, from which lead the four outwardly inclined channels43 connecting the chamber 42 with the lower face of the plug.

The valve chamber 34 is reduced in diameter above the valve and leads into an upwardly extending. channel 44 centrally of the plunger. This channel terminates adjacent the upper end of the plunger and, from,

this upper end, outwardly inclined passages or ducts 45 serve to conduct the liquid fromv the channel out the upper end of plunger. The four ducts 45 terminate in an annular inwardly tapered valve seat 46 closed ordinarily by a valve member 47. This valve- 12 so as to prevent the packing of sand around the upper end thereof.

In order to further prevent the lodging of sand and other sediment above the valve 47 the sucker rod 1.2 may be hollow, as;

shown at 12' in Fig. 6, and from the hollow central portion thereof inclined channels 48 may be so placed. as to provide passages for flushing water to clean the upper surface of the valve from accumulations. Water pumped downwardly through the hollow sucker rod will be projected with force against the upper surface of the valve mem ber 47 and maintain the same constantly free from accumulation of matter.

As show in Fig. 6 a lower valve 40. may be dispense through the central channel 44 be thereby provided. The valve member 47 will thereby serve to handle the upward discharge of the water through the plunger on the downward stroke thereof and will close during the upper stroke to force the oil or water to the surface.

In order to prevent the rotation of the sections ofthe collar 14 and 14 upon the plunger, which rotation might tend to muti' late the springs 29, one of these sections,

such as the section indicated at 50 in Fig. 7 may be provided with an inwardly extending key 51 fitted within a slot or recess in the central barrel of the plunger. This key is adapted? to slide vertically within the slot when the collar is expanded, but will pre:

vent lateral movement of this section and thereby prevent rotation of the collar. A slight lateral movement of the other sections will take place, due to the wedge shaped formation of the said sections, when, the collar is expanded.

In Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive we have shown a means of positively expanding the collars fitted upon the plunger. With special refchannel 54.- of the pump plunger.

.with and free upward passage erence to the upper collar shown in Fig. 8, .we have shown the said collar 14 with a threaded engagement with the central barrel of: the plunger. The section which is adapted to be expanded upwardly is threaded at 52 for cooperation with a spiral channel 53 upon the cylindrical surface 19 of the plunger. The opposite section 28" adapted to be moved downwardly, is slidable upon the threaded central portion 19 and is threaded at 55 into engagement with a spiral channel 54 in the cylindrical surface 23 of the plunger. Thus the section 3O will. slide upon the surface 23 and will be held in threaded engagement with the surface 19 while the adjacent section 28; will slide upon the surface 19* and be given a positive upward or downward movement by means of its engagement to the threaded The other elements of this pump plunger are intended to be identical with. that shown. in the pre vious embodiment with the exception of the fact that the springs 29 and 31 may be dis:

pensed with and the sliding key 51 is eliminated. p

When it is found that the collars of the plunger are being worn the sucker rod 12 of said plunger is given a right-handed rotation. This rotation of the. sucker rod, and the plunger barrel attached thereto, will serve to move two of the sections of each of the collars upwardly and the two intermediate sections will be forced downwardly, thereby expanding the collar, as previously explained, and maintaining the sections thereof in close contact. In order that one section may be forced upwardly and the other downwardly, the two spiral channels 53 and 54 are" cut in opposite directions upon the plunger barrel. By this means the rotation in one direction of the said barrel will force two sections" in one direction and the adjacent or intermediate two in the opposite direction.

In the operation of our invention, the expanding collar may be made of hard material, such as steel, thereby serving to re sist wear to the best advantage. But when sand or similar material finds entrance around the plunger and between the same and the working barrel causing wear upon the adjacent parts, the collars shown in Figs. 1. to 7 inclusive are automatically expanded to take up this wear and thereby serve to maintain a tight'fit between the plunger and the working barrel at all times. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive, when wear occurs so that it is noted that the pump is not functioning properly, a slight turn or partial turn of the sucker rod, and the plunger barrel attached thereto, will serve to tighten the collars against the inner surface of the working barrel to again maintain the close contact necessary for proper and efficient operation. It will be obvious ment between the collar and the barrel of the plunger will be no longer maintained. A-

- new collar will then be required.

Having thus described our invention, the advantages and objects of which'will be ap parent without further explanation, what we claim is new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: a

1. In a pump, the combination of a work-v ing barrel, a plunger re'ciproca-table therein, a collar thereon longitudinally divided into a plurality of sections, means to retain said collar in assembled position on said plunger, means to automatically expand said collar, and means to retain said sections constantly in close contact with each other.

2. In apump, the combination of a working barrel, a plunger reciprocatable therein, a collar on said plunger longitudinally divided into a plurality of sections, said collar fitted within an outwardly beveled recess on said plunger and means to force alternate sections of said collar in opposite directions and thereby expand same into close contact with said working barrel. v

3. In a pump, the combination of a working barrel, a plunger reciprocatable therein,

'a collar on said plunger divided longitudinally into aplurality of sections, alternate sections o-fi said collar being tapered longitudinally in opposite directions, and means adapted. to force said sections constantly into close contact within each other.

4; In a pump, the combination of a working barrel, a reciprocatable lunger, an expanded collarthereon divided longitudi nally into a plurality of sections, said sections being tapered alternately in opposite directions, means to hold said sections in assembled position and means to force said sections alternately in opposite directions to wedge the same apart and maintain a close contact between the same.

5. In a pump, the combination of a working barrel, a plunger therein, a collar on said plunger divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections, means to expand said collar, and means to retain the sections of said divided collar in constant contact with each other along their entire adjacent edges.

6. In a pump, the combination of a working barrel, a plunger reciprocatable therein, a split collar on said plunger comprisinga plurality of sections, said collar fitting within a tapered recess on said plunger, means to' positively 'force the alternate sections of said collar in opposite directions actuated by. the rotation of said plunger.

7. In a pump, the combination of a working barrel, a plunger therein, oppositely beveled surfaces on said plunger, a collar thereon adapted to fit upon said surfaces and divided longitudinally along diagonal planes into a plurality of sections, means to force alternate sections in opposite direc-' tions, whereby the collar is expanded and the sections-maintained in contact at all times.

8. In a pump, the combination of a plunger, an expanding collar thereon comprising several sections tapered alternately in opposite directions and means to maintain the adjacent edges of. said sections constantly in contac j 9. In a pump, the combination of, a plunger, an expanding collar thereon comprising. a plurality of longitudinal sections tapered alternately toward; opposite ends thereof, means to force said sections constantly into contact with each other and means to retain said sections on said plunger.

10. In a pump, the combination ofa plun ger, a collar thereon divided longitudinally by inclined planes intov a plurality of sections, cooperating-surfaces on said plunger and said collar to expand said collar when said sections are forced alternately in opposite directions and means adapted to force said sections in the direction desired. i

11. In a pump, the combination of a plun-. ger, a-collar thereon divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections, and having a threaded connection with said plunger and contacting beveled surfaces on said'plunger and collar whereby said collar'is expanded by the rotation of said plunger. 7 In testimony whereof, we hereunto aflix our slgnatures' GRANVILLE A. HUMASON. SAM F. BASHARA.

PAUL J. BARRAGO. 

